While CD Projekt RED is already laying the groundwork for the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel, discussions regarding a divisive element of the original game’s pacing continue to surface.
Cyberpunk 2 Director Igor Sarzyński recently shared his perspective:
“Would extending Act 1—everything leading up to the heist—have made for a better game? I don’t think so. It would be like spending significantly more time on Tatooine with Luke the farm boy before he ever gets involved in the Jedi’s struggle.”
He pointed out that although Jackie remains a beloved figure among fans, he was never intended to be a permanent fixture in the long-term narrative of Night City.
“CD Projekt always envisioned the flow this way. Is there enough time to form a bond with Jackie? For some players, absolutely; for others, perhaps not. Overall, we feel we found a satisfying middle ground.”
The layout of the first act was a conscious design choice: it offers players tangible progress while allowing the “real” game to erupt following the story’s major turning point. While the developers could have drawn out the prologue, they opted to keep Jackie’s role as an intense, fleeting experience—a narrative spark rather than a foundational piece of the entire journey.
Source: iXBT.games